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JBD predicting another ‘special game’ with Victory

Born and bred in Melbourne, Reds midfielder Jake Barker-Daish knows exactly how much Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory games mean to people on both sides of the border.

Born and bred in Melbourne, Reds midfielder Jake Barker-Daish knows exactly how much Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory games mean to people on both sides of the border.

Barker-Daish remembers being a regular in the crowd at Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory encounters during the early years of the Hyundai A-League, and just like back then, he can-t wait for the next chapter in the story on Saturday night.

Arguably the league-s original rivalry as it continues and upholds the sporting animosity between South Australia and Victoria, Adelaide United-s fixtures with Melbourne Victory each year always gather huge anticipation, and Barker-Daish knows this Saturday night will be no different.

“For me it-s always a special time playing Melbourne Victory, not just being an Adelaide player and with the rivalry, but obviously growing up in Melbourne when the A-League started I used to go to a lot of the Victory-s games and experienced the rivalry these two teams have, so I-m well aware of what these games mean to both sets of fans,” Barker-Daish said.

Etihad Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for the Reds in the past, with the Victory enjoying a dominant record at the venue. Every time the teams have met at Etihad has not been void of incidents, and 20 year old Barker-Daish, who came on for the last 20 minutes against Perth Glory last Saturday, is hopeful but at the same time confident it can end positively for the Reds.

“Especially at Etihad Stadium where they have had some memorable games against each other over of the years where they have been not only fierce but great spectacles, I-m sure it-ll be a really special game again no doubt.”